Blades of Glory

by Amanda Perez

MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for crude and sexual humor, language, a comic violent image and some drug references.
Suggested Ages: 13+
Released in Theaters: March 30, 2007
Reel Rating: 2 out of 4 Reels

How many times can Will Ferrell attempt to dress up the same character? Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we'll find out any time soon, as his one note character continues to open in the high double-digit millions.

Blades of Glory is merely another attempt at selling Ferrell's unintelligent, devoid-of-reality, dirt-bag-with-a-heart character we've seen time and time again in Anchorman, Old School, and every Ferrell dominated SNL sketch.

Ferrell stars as Chazz Michael Michaels, a rock star in the world of ice skating. Jon Heder plays an innocent, all-American, Keith Partridge type character Jimmy MacElroy who, appropriately described by Ferrell's character, resembles a 15-year-old-girl, except not hot.

The two play rivals whose rivalry-turned-violent ends up getting them banned from the singles Olympic ice skating. Heder and Ferrell's chemistry works well enough as their relationship grows. The two become not only partners -- from a loop hole in the Olympic rule book that allows them to compete in the doubles category -- but also friends.

Taking the place of Chazz and Jimmy's dissolved rivalry -- and the only justifiable reason to pay $9.50 to see this movie -- are Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Amy Poehler) and Stranz Van Waldenberg (Will Arnett), a brother-and-sister doubles pair who try to convince their third wheel sister, Katie (Jenna Fischer), to drive a wedge between Chazz and Jimmy.

I won't give away the ending (although anyone with any sort of cognitive ability can see it coming), but there's a moment when Chazz and Jimmy literally fly away with their medals. It's as if the writers wanted to see how much they could get away with.

In short, prepare for the ridiculous, and keep a lookout for outrageous extras when the DVD is released.

THE WRAP-UP: There are likeable qualities about Blades of Glory. It's a movie that's proud to cater to the lowest common denominator of humor and never attempts anything more than low-brow comedy.

Blades of Glory is clearly a crowd pleaser, as it continues to place in the top 10 at the box office. It's good for a cheap (extremely cheap) laugh, if you're not numbed by the monotonous nature of Ferrell's character as it gets passed along from movie to movie. Still, it's hard not to compare every mannerism, phrase, tone, and word to any of his other Ferrell character themed movies.

SCORE: 2 out of 4 Reels

Amanda Perez is a freelance journalist from Orange County, California. Email her at aperez949@hotmail.com.

JANE'S REEL RATING SYSTEM:

One Reel – Pathetic. Even the Force can't save it.
Two Reels – Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Read my other reviews HERE.